Duel In the Mist Ardennes 1944

Anybody have the book published by AFVModeller called duel in the mist? Its about $ 120 and i would like to know if its worth it. 120 for a book about one day in the battle of the bulge is a little high, but the publisher has always done quality stuff so im a bit torn, anybody?

PHIL

 

Hi Phil
Yes I have the book Duel in the Mist. It is a excellent book detailing the battle for Stoumont. Many never seen photos and decriptions of photos that you may have seen. It is pricey but if your interested in Kampfgruppe Peiper and his actions in the Ardennes(at Stoumont) this is a good book. Hope this helps. Any questions let me know.

 

I got my copy on eBay last month for about $77, so shop around.

 

Well....it's not bad.

I've seen one or two copies of this title at 'silly' secondhand prices and then recently noticed that Amazon are still selling at at a 30% discount. Still not cheap, but thought I'd give it a go.

Actually quite good - but definitely not for the casual reader. But if you're a Bulge enthusiast or are very interested in KG Peiper, it's a must. Be warned, if you have Pallud's book most of the images will be familiar. But here, they are reproduced in great clarity and large format. Details of weapons, equipment and identification of individuals is very impressive. Also, there are several shots of knocked-out armour from both sides which are unfamiliar to me.

The book focusses entirely on the actions in the La Gleize/Stoumont area and includes the well-known photos of Potschke's men fighting around the Robinson House, Jupp Diefenthal watching the US prisoners, etc.

Not perfect, but an exceptional book. 'Vol. I' it says on the cover.....I wonder if there wil lever be a 'Vol.II'....?

 

Looks like a book to get in the future.... good to know it´s not waste of money,too.

 

I've now finished reading this, and have thoroughly enjoyed it.

It is an 'oddball' - a minute dissection of the fighting in one small area of the Ardennes on one day. And without the few photos and one brief clip of film taken by some PK men, there'd be no story at all. But the depth of research makes it very worthwhile for the true Bulge 'buff' which certainly includes me......

 

VOLUME 2 IS HERE !

Hot off the press ( I'd totally forgotten that I'd pre-ordered it ) and what a nice surprise......

Vol 1 covered the Leibstandarte on December 19th 1944 ; this new volume takes us through the night of the 19th and into the 20/21 December fighting at Stoumont, Rahier and Cheneux.

The 'DitM' team of authors have successfully found another publisher for this ( Lee Archer and William Auerbach at Panzerwrecks ). Downsides : Vol. 1 featured a lot of Deutsche Wochenschau 'stills' : DW weren't there on the 20th/21st so nearly all the photos are 'after the battle'. Also, the nice colour cover is gone.

On the plus side, the publishers have retained the same format so both Volumes go nicely together. Photographic reproduction seems a little sharper than Vol.1 and this time there are photos which I haven't seen before ! Maps are in colour ( not monochrome as in Vol. 1 ).And you still get colour profiles ( although not quite as clear as Vol. 1 ). The authors seem to have tracked down some more veterans as well, plus some personal photos. Oh, and there are some very good colour 'Then & Now' pics.

Above all, the detail in the photos is superb and I love it. One for the Bulge enthusiast and a real treat.

It is : -

'Duel In The Mist 2 : The Leibstandarte During The Ardennes Offensive' by Haasler/MacDougall/Vosters/Weber. Panzerwrecks 2012, ISBN 978-1-908032-7.

 

A heads-up that Vol. 3 has just been published. It was a nice surprise for me to arrive at the La Gleize show and find a copy on the first stall I checked out - I didn't even know the book had been published.

Same format as the first two volumes ( except that there are no AFV colour profiles in Vol. 3 ). Masses of pics of knocked-out tanks, a selection of 'Then & Nows' and a useful appendix detailing histories of individual LSSAH tanks in the Ardennes.

Getting the book added considerably to the experience of my holiday ; we were staying at Wanne and this book covers the actions of KG Hansen / 82nd Airborne in the area between Trois Ponts and Wanne. Fighting here was fierce but most books about the Bulge devote little or no space to the action ; this book goes into great detail with many personal accounts. So I was able to read about it at bedtime and go out the next morning to walk the battlefield !

Highly recommended for all 'Bulge' enthusiasts.

 

I'd like to get a copy of volume 1. Used copies are insanely expensive. They need to release a second edition.

 

Yes, the dealer was telling me about that. I believe the original publisher may have ceased business, which creates all kinds of copyright difficulties.....

 

Look: http://www.amazon.com/Duel-Mist-Kampfgruppe-Stoumont-December/dp/0955541301

Eventually, I'll have to buy it even at that price because it's too good a source not to have. I hope they come up with a reprint...

 

Some very bad news if, like me, you've been awaiting DITM Vol 4.

Just found a very cryptic announcement from Lee Archer's Panzerwrecks site from last Autumn saying that Duel In The Mist Vol4 has been cancelled and will not be published as the authors 'have gone their separate ways'. This after the cover was previewed on Facebook.

Something's obviously gone very wrong their but it's a blow to Bulge enthusiasts. Best be grateful for the three previous volumes.....